The height of the color season is now upon us.

UPPER MICHIGAN -- It's arguably the prettiest time to be in the Upper Peninsula--the height of the color season.

Fall foliage is now beginning to peak across the northwestern half of the U.P., especially in the high country.  Nearly everybody else is within a week or so of the peak.  The exception is the far southern U.P. and areas close to Lake Michigan, which are only seeing patchy foliage and are probably about a week from the peak.

As for some of the most scenic places to be right now, you've got the Porcupine Mountains, Brockway Mountain, Lake Gogebic, and the list goes on.

"The Michigamme highlands are brightly colored now," said Dean Wilson of the DNR.  "North of Michigamme, the road up the Peshekee River, and the trails north of Van Riper State Park would all be optimal viewing areas."

A big reason Upper Michigan is a fall hotspot is because of our vast expanses of hardwoods, especially maples.

"Generally the maples will turn red to orange to a golden color," Wilson added.  "Predominantly, the red maples will have the brighter reds, with the sugar maples turning the golds and oranges."

Even though the forecast doesn't call for comfortable leaf peeping weather, gloomy days do make for good viewing conditions.

"The colors seem more vibrant when it's slightly overcast," Wilson commented.  "When there's not bright sunlight, they stand out more, especially if you're into photography."

Plus, there's a perk to the wet weather we've had of late:  it prolongs the fall color season.